Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.Psalm 116:7

Happy holidays! I'm not sure whether summer is a time to relax for you, as we all manage to pack the six weeks with so many holidays, clubs and events, but my prayer is that you will find rest over the break and that God will be your inspiration as you look to the year ahead.

On the subject of summer, have you seen Matt Summerfield's latest monthly message? It's called 'Go Away' and is all about the value and importance of the residential experience in the lives of young people.

We've already had our flagship residential of SPREE North in Leeds, which was absolutely fabulous. You can find out about that in this email. We are also looking forward to being at Soul Survivor North (come to the Urban Saints stand and say hello!), and at Harvest, where we will be running the prayer lounge, as well as selling Urban Saints hoodies in the Market Place!

There have been two new groups that have signed up to Energize in the North East during the past month or so. They are Cleethorpes Kings and Bradford Wibsey. It's great to welcome you to Urban Saints! You can find out where the other Urban Saints groups local to you are here.

We now have sixty groups using Energize across the North East of England. Would you like to be number 61? Summer is an ideal time to look at different resources and explore the possibilities that being an Energize group might bring to your minsitry. Energize subscription also gives you full access to MIMIC, our new generational discipleship resource. What's more, we offer Energize on a three-month FREE trial. Interested? We'd love to serve and support God's work in your community.

It's also great to welcome all of those people I have met for the first time recently at SPREE North and Totally Wired.

With love and thanksgiving

Walking the Talk
Sat 10/9/11
YORK

Commissioning Evening
Tues 14/9/11
HARROGATE

ReGenerate
Tues 4/10/11
MIDDLESBROUGH

X:Site
Sat 17/9/11
NEWCASTLE

Regenerate
Tues 18/10/11
NEWCASTLE

HUBbub
Mon 19/9/11
SHEFFIELD

Create
October 2011
LEEDS

Refuel
Sat 19/11/11
LEEDS

ReGenerate
Thurs 29/9/11
BRADFORD

30-seconds with...

Rich Townend

Several: Residential camps in Criccieth North Wales, Gap year with street children in Brazil, Being President of the CU at King Alfreds Winchester.
Biggest Influence:
My Mum and Dad, for very different reasons - obvious answer but true.

Who will it be next month?

On Saturday 10th September, Urban Saints North East are hosting our annual training conference in York. The theme is 'Walking the Talk' and we'll be focusing on discipleship, with some basic training in MIMIC, our new online discipleship tool. It's quite early in the term, but this will give you the chance to establish MIMIC in your programmes for the entire year.
Sharon Prior, Nick Harding and Dan Shepherd are our special guests on the day, and the cost will be £20 which includes lunch and refreshments, but Energize groups are entitled to three FREE places. Click here for further information.

Four hundred children, young people and leaders from dozens of groups across the North of England enjoyed the third SPREE North event on the 8th to 10th July. Many young people opened their hearts to God with a hundred of them making commitments. After a wet start, the sun shined throughout Saturday and Sunday, and although it was hard work, we are already excited about SPREE 2012! Were you a leader at SPREE? If so, we'd like to know your thoughts to help our planning for future years. You can complete our Leaders Survey here. 

Urban Saints North East are pleased to be supporting the Youthwork Summit in Manchester in October. But what is it, and why come? Here is what the organisers say:
Our dream is that, in a single day, we go on a journey together that has a profound impact on all of us. When you come to the Summit, you aren’t just a spectator, you become part of what’s happening. The interaction between us all is just as important as the input from speakers and the 2011 programme will reflect our commitment to do just that. So yes… we know there are plenty of worthwhile things you can do with your Saturdays. And we applaud that. Weekends should be full of things like family and friends, football and food. But this one Saturday in the year, we’re inviting you to do something different. To invest a day in your calling as a youth worker. Join us.
Do you want more information? Click here for the website.

Urban Saints are partnering with DNA (www.dna-uk.org) to provide your young people and/or your church with the very best in gap year discipleship opportunities, designed for those who dare to take themselves seriously and believe God can use them to make a difference.  

For the young people, this will be a truly amazing year of allowing God to get hold of their life, shape their character and release them into your full potential. 

For you as a church, you could have the opportunity of becoming a DNA placement church – either with your own young people working with you for a gap year OR receiving other young people.

The year includes:

• Applied theological training
• Personal discipleship
• Mission experience
• Leadership development

In addition to the above, with Urban Saints you also will have the option of:

• Media Track – work alongside Urban Saints media team
• International Track – spend three months of your year overseas
• Shadowing a member of the Urban Saints national staff team

For further information, click here.

Gap Year at St Nic's in Durham - working closely with Urban Saints North East

Are you interested in exploring God’s calling on your life and discovering your gifts and serving the church, then you may wish to apply for an internship at St Nic’s Church in Durham 2011-2012. 
St Nic’s is a lively evangelical church in the centre of Durham fully committed to all member ministry and holds three worship services each Sunday, attended by a wide range of people including families and students. St Nic's community coffee lounge is open six mornings a week.
St Nic’s offer interns:
·         Pastoral Support and mentoring
·         Free training and personal development programme
·         Rent free accommodation in a shared house
·         Ministry Placements working with
·         Children and Youth (with the opportunity to gain work experience with Urban Saints North East through their regional training and outreach events)
·         Students
·         Other placements tailored to your individual gifting
For further information email churchcoordinator@stnics.org.uk or visit www.stnics.org.uk  Applications are welcome now and Internships run from September 2011 until June 2012.

 

There are also other Gap Year opportunities available that are worth checking out:

Scripture Union
You would normally be based at home serving your local church and this could include working alongside a Scripture Union Associate Trust. You are also part of the North East & Yorkshire regional team and will therefore be involved in wider regional projects such as Lifepath, X:site and holidays as well as working with SU staff in the region. You will become part of a global movement which serves God in over 120 countries and will have the opportunity for an International placement as part of your intern year.
You will have a mentor and will you will receive training from Cliff College studying for a Cliff College certificate in Christian Life and Mission. You will have lots of fun, meet new people, face loads of challenges and at the end of it all you will have that vital experience.
Contact John Stephenson, North East & Yorkshire Team Leader:
JohnS@scriptureunion.org.uk , 0191 271 1189


Youth for Christ
Youth For Christ North East are looking for passionate, energetic and enthusiastic young people aged 18+ who are looking for an opportunity to serve God. Take a year out and do something different! Working alongside an experienced and dedicated team of staff and volunteers in prisons, schools and churches, gain valuable and unique life experience that can challenge, transform and inspire you.
September 2011 APPLY NOW!!! 
All Gap Year Enquiries to Leah Baboolal:
Email: leah@yfcnortheast.org.uk  
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If you would like to help us raise money for to subsidise our events and training programmes to make them more accessible to all, there are several small ways which are already making a big difference. Easy Fundraising is an incredibly simple way raising funds each time you shop online on sites such as ebay and Amazon. It costs no more to you, but simply by registering, Urban Saints will receive a donation each time you buy something over the Internet. Recycling phones and ink cartridges also helps us raise a few hundred pounds each year. When selecting the charity, we are Urban Saints-C2003. You can also become a Personal Supporter of our work in the North East. Contact us for more information.